MTA seeking ideas for east-west line in Dutchess and Putnam Counties

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and MTA Metro-North Railroad are requesting that organizations, companies and the public share proposed methods to revitalize a rail line that operates east-west across Dutchess and Putnam Counties, N.Y.

 

The line, commonly referred to as the Beacon Line or the Maybrook Branch, is owned by Metro-North Railroad and does not currently facilitate passenger service. It connects with Metro-North’s Hudson Line, continues east and links with the Harlem Line north of Southeast, representatives explained.

“Perhaps there are ways the line could be put to use for the benefit of the public that are outside of our mandate as a public transportation agency,” said Metro-North Railroad President Joseph Giulietti. “We want to find out how much interest there is in this real estate and what ideas folks may have that could lead to the revitalization of the line.”

The MTA is issuing a formal Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to aggregate ideas regarding how to best preserve the line for current and future operations, curb the costs born by Metro-North while maintaining the line, bolster economic development and public use and bring in revenue for Metro-North.

The MTA’s deadline to submit responses is Nov. 18, 2016. 

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